Well it almost felt like Summer heat was over and then....it is a humid bath out today. So it may be that my fake tan isn't ready to be exfoliated off quite yet. 🤣I helped write this article for the Visit New Bern blog and thought it would be perfect for my readers too! Here is the original link Thanks Kait and Britt!

Staying Cool with Sweet Treats in New BernAlthough National Ice Cream Month is quickly coming to an end, that doesn’t mean the celebration to indulge in America’s favorite frozen treat needs to, especially when most days this summer, New Bern has been in the midst of an 80-degree heat wave! Here are a few of New Bern’s cherished places to grab a sweet treat in the summertime.

Cow CaféCow Café is a wonderfully unique site for those looking for a quick lunch or just to relax and soak up the atmosphere of downtown New Bern while enjoying a bowl or cone of homemade ice cream. The café offers a full line of hearty sandwiches, plates, wraps, salads, and soups, along with almost forty flavors of ice cream to cool off with, including the “moolicious” Death by Chocolate. Opening in its present location at 319 Middle Street in 2004, this spotted cafe has gained popularity of locals and visitors alike. Check out their farm-themed dining room surrounded by farm murals and cows gifts or keep the little calves busy with the large barnyard play area while enjoying some ice cream.

Dairy QueenJust across the street from A Taste of Philadelphia is the local Dairy Queen on Dr. M. L. King Jr. Boulevard. This walk-up ice cream icon is best known for their Blizzards and Dilly Bars, being the only Dairy Queen in town you can expect to see a crowd lined up from noon10pm seven days a week during the Summer. Grab one of your DQ favorites day or night.

Bear City Fudge Company Bear City Fudge has been a member of the New Bern downtown merchant community since 2003 and has become one of the town’s best confectioneries. They offer a wide selection of quality products from gourmet fudge and candies to pralines and ice cream. Bear City’s ice cream comes from a local creamery, Simply Natural Creamery in Ayden, NC, helping keep their word on providing customers with the freshest and trendiest treats. Stop by and cool off with a tasty sample of their salty caramel or blueberry cheesecake flavors on them!

A Taste of PhiladelphiaLocated in the Berne Square Shopping Center you’ll find A Taste of Philadelphia, a newer merchant to New Bern, but nothing less than delicious! The owners, both Philly natives, opened this business to give locals a taste of treats from their hometown. A Taste of Philadelphia offers 16 flavors of Italian Water Ice, 12 flavors of Hershey hard ice cream and 26 flavors of soft serve. They are so Phill, that all items sold in-store are shipped directly from Philadelphia! Stop in and give their Hot Donut Ice Cream Sandwich a taste next time you’re in town!DID YOU KNOW?Did you know that July not only marks the month of our country’s independence, but there is also another, lesser known reason to celebrate the seventh month of the year: National Ice Cream Month! In fact, as of 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as the host to this joyous month-long celebration. In the proclamation, President Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with “appropriate ceremonies and activities.”

I was out with David at Morgan's Tavern & Grill the other night because my lovely sister, Linda sent me a gift card for my birthday. We to share the Ribeye steak. David prefers med-rare and I am more of a medium girl so we had to decide which way to go to please us both.

Ultimately it got me thinking about my days behind the grill when I worked in the restaurant biz for years. I remember using the face test. You press the steak lightly with your fingertip and compare the way it feels to your cheek, chin, and forehead. A rare steak is soft like your cheek. Your chin, is medium; firmer to the touch with more resistance, your forehead, is firmer and means it is well done. I started trying it out until I noticed a patron or two looking at me a little strangely.

Some use the touch method and there may be a few that actually use a thermometer but it’s not advised to use one because you risk losing some juice or flavor by stabbing at it.

I did notice that Morgans had us check right away to be sure that the almost medium (we compromised) was cooked properly and it was. Plus the side dishes were divine as always. We have never had a bad food experience there, ever.​How do you check your steak to be sure it's ready and what is your preferred temperature?

I want to thank Brittany Reusch and Kait Fletcher for their assistance with this blog-they are both awesome writer and big fans of downtown New Bern. Now to the story...WHERE CAN WE PARK?

Have you found yourself wondering “Where can we park?” Fortunately, the short answer is easy: practically anywhere! Historic Downtown New Bern is similar to most other downtown city areas as far as ample street parking, but unlike other cities, all of Downtown New Bern’s parking is free of charge! How does the city pull it off? With a 2-hr parking limit on select areas. If you tally the all-day lots as well as the time-sensitive areas for a combined total, there are more than 600 free parking spaces in town!

We’ve all spent more time than it was worth rolling up and down block after block looking for a free spot. When one finally opens up, there’s a flood of vehicles racing like you’re suddenly on the route of the Indy-500 to snag it before someone else does. This makes both the arrival as well as the departure from many downtowns stressful, ineffective and discouraging for visitors andlocals.Fortunately, New Bern has a solution; the city’s 2-hour on-street parking is effective Monday through Friday 8 am - 4 pm with the exception of holidays and spaces identified as 15-minute parking spaces. The 2-hour parking enforcement helps free up parking spaces along the streets for locals and visitors alike to enjoy the shopping and dining experience New Bern has to offer. The 2-hour parking area extends down the following streets:

Middle St

Craven St

Pollock St

Hancock St

South Front St

Metcalf St

making every fabulous destination in downtown from art galleries, to historical landmarks, just a few steps from your vehicle.

Two-hour parking is great for those planning just a quick trip into New Bern’s historically preserved downtown, or those who prefer driving from one attraction to the next. However, maybe you want to spend a longer portion of the day on the waterfront and don’t mind walking. We have an option for you as well!

Planning to extend you downtown experience past that 2-hour limit? No problem! Even locals come to the downtown district to spend a day walking between shops, seeing the sights and snagging a quick bite to eat. The city of New Bern also offers three parking lots designated for all-day use. Just like the rest of the parking along the scenic streets, these lots are free of charge! Labeled by the colors on New Bern’s flag, these parking lots are located within 1-2 blocks of shopping, dining, and other walkable attractions!Just look for the big “P”signs pointing you to the Red, Gold, and BlackBear free public parking lots.Red Bear Parking Lotis located at the South end of Craven Street towards S Front Street.Gold Bear Parking Lotis located at the New Bern Farmers Market, near S Front Street and Hancock Street.Black Bear Parking Lotis located at the corner of New and Hancock Streets with limited hours on SaturdaysIf you’re like most people, it can be easy to forget where you parked after a day of shopping, dining and fun New Bern activities. Did you know that Google Maps and Waze not only help you get to where you are going with ease, they will also help you remember where you parked!

What is your favorite parking app? We’d love to share with our readers. ​Until next time… Brittany, Kait and Laurie

Welcome!

Hi 👋 My name is Laurie and I am a Social Media Marketing Manager based in New Bern, NC. I am married to the man of my dreams, a mom and in love with my adorable grandson, Noah. I love checking out new local restaurants, festivals and events while searching for great places to host monthly Girls Night Out. You can usually find me checking out all things live music, the best hospitality in town and working on my campaign to bring Bonefish Grill to New Bern-it's going to happen!!​